Insect bite kit

ABSTRACT

A kit for emergency treatment for an insect bite includes a single dose intra-dermal injector, and a single dose spray inhaler combined into a single unit and carried by a necklace which itself is usable as a tourniquet.

U United States Patent [191 [111 3,868,015

Thompson Feb. 25, 1975 INSECT BlTE KIT 3,637,072 1/1972 Narusawa et all. 206/229 [76] Inventor: Larry G. Thompson, 524 Fifth St.,

Traverse City" Mlch' 49684 Primary ExaminerGe0rge T. Hall [22] Filed: Sept. 14, 1973 Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Edmond T. Patnaude [21] Appl. No.: 397,322

[52] US. Cl 206/229, 128/216, 128/218 G, [57] ABSTRACT 128/272 [51] Int. Cl. B65d 85/54, A611 5/32 A kit for emergency treatment for an insect bite in- [58] eld Of S ch 0 cludes a single dose intra-dermal injector, and a single 128/218 G, 272 dose spray inhaler combined into a single unit and carried by a necklace which itself is usable as a tourni- [56] References Cited quet.

UNITED STATES PATENTS 2/1971 Paulson 206/229 5 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures INSECT BITE KIT The present invention generally relates to a method and means for inhibiting allergic reactions to insect bites, and it relates more particularly to an emergency insect bite kit which is small, light and easily carried by persons who are sensitive to the sting of certain insects such as bees and hornets.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION To many persons, certain insect bites are deadly unless promptly treated.

Emergency first aid kits are well known in the prior art, but because of the inherent bulk thereof they are not generally available when a serious need arises.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION Therefore, a principal object of the present invention is to provide a new andimproved emergency insect bite kit.

Another object of this invention is to provide a small, lightweight kit containing all of the things needed to give initial treatment for an insect bite.

A further object of this invention is to provide a new and improved means for self-administration of an intradermal injection.

A still further object of this invention is to provide an emergency insect bite kit which can be worn as a neck lace and which is not cosmetically unattractive.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Briefly, the above and further objects may be realized in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention by providing a single dose spray inhaler having a prefilled intra-dermal injector mounted at one end and carried by a necklace usable as a tourniquet when necessary.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Further objects and advantages and a better understanding of the invention may be had from the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, wherein,

FIG. 1, is a view of an emergency insect bite kit embodying the present invention;

FIG. 2 is across-sectional view of a preferred embodiment of this invention; and

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of this invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring now to the drawing, a necklace which may be a chain of beads as shown but which may be formed of any strong flexible material such as a cord or the like carries thereon a bullet-shaped unit containing a prefilled, single dose intra-dermal syringe filled with an adrenergic beta site stimulator (ABSS) such as epinephrine and an oral dose of a suitable antihistamine. Upon the occurrence of an insect bite, the wearer removes the necklace and immediately injects a dose of epinephrine intra-dermally and orally takes a dose of antihistamine. The necklace is then used as a tourniquet where necessary.

Referring to FIG. 2, the unit 11 comprises a small tubular casing 12 having an intermediate wall 13 spaced from the end thereof to provide an open cylindrical recess 15 at one end. The wall 13 may be integral with the casing 12. A second wall 16 is provided at the other end of the casing 12 to define a sealed chamber 17 between the walls 13 and 16. A single dose comprising a few sprays of liquid isuprel or other suitable medicine is provided in the chamber 17, and a conventional atomizing pump assembly 18 is mounted on the wall 16. A tear-off cap 19 is removably mounted over the spray head to protect it and to maintain it in the initial aseptic condition. After removal of the cap, the assembly 18 may be used to spray the liquid into the nose or mouth of the patient.

A pre-filled intra-dermal injection assembly 20 is sealably and removably mounted in the recess I5. It includes a rigid, imperforate housing member 23 having a cylindrical sidewall which snap-fits in the recess 15, and a dome shaped end. A syringe plunger 21 having a cylindrical sidewall is slidably and sealably fitted in the open end of the housing member 23 and has a cen-.

tral bore 23 which slidably and sealably receives a hollow, pointed injection needle 25 fastened at its inner end in a central hole 26 in a perforate partition 27 fixedly mounted in the housing member 23. The pointed end of the needle 25 is enclosed by the plunger 21 to prevent damage hereto. The space within the unit 20 is filled with a single dose of an ABSS such as epinephrine. In order to use the intra-dermal injector assembly, the housing is simply grasped by the fingers and pulled from the recess 15. The dome-shaped end 28 of the syringe is then placed against the skin of the patient and the housing member is firmly pressed toward the skin. The needle is thus forced a predetermined distance into the skin and the liquid in the unit 20 flows upwardly through the perforations in the partition 27 as shown in FIG. 2 and downwardly through the central passage in the needle into the patient. The needle penetrates to a distance equal to the distance between the partition 27 and the inner end of the syringe plunger 21.

The entire unit 11 may have an overall length of about 4 centimeters so as to be small in size. Preferably, the parts are all formed in plastic so as to be light in weight and easy to manufacture. Being completely enclosed and hermetically sealed, the initial sterility of the kit is maintained until opened for use.

Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown an alternati ve embodiment of the invention wherein the spray applicator is omitted and replaced by an antihistamine tablet 30. In this embodiment of the invention the intradermal injection assembly is mounted in the'open end of a cylindrical, cup-shaped case having a sidewall 31 and an integral bottom wall 32. The lower end 28 of the syringe unit is spaced a sufficient distance from the wall 32 to define a compartment for holding the tablet 30. When the intra-dermal injection assembly is removed from the case the tablet 30 is immediately accessible.

While the present invention has been described in connection with particular embodiments thereof, it will be understood that those skilled in the art may make many changes and modifications without departing from the true spirit and scope thereof. Accordingly, the appended claims are intended to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the present invention.

What is claimed is:

I. An intra-dermal injection assembly comprising an imperforate housing member having a perforate partition therein and an open end,

3. The invention according to claim 2, further comprising a spray assembly mounted at one end of said casing for administering said dose of medicine.

4. The invention according to claim 2, comprising a flexible necklace said housing being carried by said necklace.

5. The invention according to claim 4, wherein said imperforate housing member has a dome-shaped end extending from said casing.

=l l =l 

1. An intra-dermal injection assembly comprising an imperforate housing member having a perforate partition therein and an open end, a plunger slidably and sealably mounted in said open end and having a hole therethrough, a hollow injection needle secured at one end over an opening through said partition and sealably and slidably extending into said hole.
 2. The invention according to claim 1, further comprising a tubular cup-shaped casing open at one end, said housing member being removably mounted in said one end, and said housing having a compartment therein for holding a dose of medicine.
 3. The invention according to claim 2, further comprising a spray assembly mounted at one end of said casing for administering said dose of medicine.
 4. The invention according to claim 2, comprising a flexible necklace, said housing being carried by said necklace.
 5. The invention according to claim 4, wherein said imperforate housing member has a dome-shaped end extending from said casing. 